A Man’s Worth(Brac Pack 31)(22)

If the Shadow elves left the confrontation just in the marshlands, Ahm could deal with that. He knew there was no going home again. But they were bringing the fight to him. To the Lakelands. It saddened him to think of killing any one of his people, but the bears had done nothing wrong. Ahm would defend them and his very own life from attack.

“I need you to meet me and bring some things with you.”

“That is not possible right now,” Rakeym replied in an apologetic voice. “They are watching me, knowing I am your second and now temporary leader. The people think that I will help you. I don’t want to bring them to your front doorstep.”

Too late for that. Ahm understood Rakeym’s hesitation. He couldn’t effectively run the tribe if they deemed him a traitor as well for helping Ahm. He was just going to have to return to the marshlands and get the files himself.

Ahm spotted Abe glancing into the kitchen. The small fey glanced his way and then averted his eyes. What was wrong with the man? He was acting like a puppy needing attention.

Ahm ignored him. “Very well. I’ll handle this on my own.”

“Do you plan on returning here?” Rakeym asked. “It wouldn’t be wise. The sentinels have doubled their guard duty to ensure you do not step foot on our land.”

Abe came striding into the kitchen this time, taking a seat at the table. The man clasped his hands in front of him and beamed up at Ahm.

Ahm gave Abe an irritated expression and turned in his chair, giving the man his back. “I’ll call you when I know for certain what my plans are. Right now I just need to heal.”

“How are your injuries?” Rakeym asked in concern.

“I would have healed by now, but one of the tribesmen decided to bring the fight to me. He injured my leg, but nothing I won’t heal from.” Ahm could feel Abe watching him. Didn’t the man have some sort of work to do?

“Was it a sentinel who attacked you?”

“No,” Ahm answered. “We both know that if it had been a sentinel, my injuries would have been far worse.” Ahm himself had trained the sentinels of the Shadow elf tribe. They were a fierce group of warriors who could not be so easily defeated. If his attacker had been one he trained, Ahm would have been battling to the death.

But the attacker stabbed him twice and fled when one of the bears came after him. No, it wasn’t one of his guards.

“I agree. I will do what I can on my end to defuse the situation. Just try to lay low until I can think of a way to get you out of this.”

“Thank you, Rakeym.” Ahm hung up the phone. As much as he appreciated his second’s efforts, there would be no solution. His people were sunk too deep in tradition and preserving their way of life.

He had to find a way to convince them to allow new blood into their ranks. From what they had just shown him, it wasn’t going to be easy. As a matter of fact, Ahm knew it was going to be downright impossible.

“Do you need any help doing anything?”

Ahm glanced behind him. How had he forgotten Abe was in the room with him? “No.”

“Are you sure I can’t do anything for you?” Syrupy sweet.

Ahm’s brow slowly lifted. “No.”

“No, you aren’t sure, or no, you don’t need anything?” Abe sat there with that smile on his face that was starting to really get to Ahm. He knew flirting when he saw it. He wasn’t blind.

“I’m sure I don’t need anything.” Ahm eased out of the chair he was sitting in, his leg instantly throbbing. He winced. That was all it took. One wince and Abe was at his side, grabbing Ahm’s arm to place around his shoulder.

Ahm snatched his arm away. “I am very capable of walking without assistance.”

“But you look like you’re about to fall over,” Abe protested. “Why struggle when I can help you?”

“Because I am a very capable male. I don’t need anyone’s help.” His tone was chilled, letting the smaller fey know he was stepping over a boundary that Ahm was drawing.

Abe blinked up at him. “Everyone needs help once in a while.”

“Abe, go help Chauncey and Olsen out back.” Malcolm walked into the kitchen, giving Abe a look that said he didn’t want the fey to argue with him. Abe immediately hurried out the back door.

“How did you do that?” Ahm asked.

“Do what?”

“Get rid of him so fast.” Ahm needed to know the secret. He had a feeling Abe would be back. The man almost looked as if he was enamored with Ahm.

Malcolm gave a deep chuckle. “Abe is harmless. He attaches himself a little too quickly, and without invitation, but he just needs attention. He’s a little needy.”